Vancouver, BC – Qualico BC is helping to shape future talent through its role as a founding partner of the Essential Technical Skills for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Certificate program offered at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

The ACE program provides students the opportunity to gain basic skills, knowledge, and experience while exploring careers in the building, design, and real estate sector. Students are not required to have defined educational or employment goals to participate. The program includes a series of part-time in-person and online courses, along with an internship component.

Jonathan Meads, Vice-President, StreetSide BC, said getting involved in the program is an opportunity for Qualico BC to invest in education and the future. Qualico BC’s involvement in the ACE program is two-fold.

“Qualico BC, in partnership with HAVAN (the local chapter of the CHBA), put forward a donation to help fund the launch of the program,” said Jonathan. “Our funding helped with the costs of getting a new course off the ground. It has been fully subscribed for its first two years.”

As an ACE partner, Qualico BC also provides internships to students and gives course leaders feedback on how to develop the course further, including what students need to learn more about to get the most out of their internship.

Interns join StreetSide BC and other partners for four months to learn as much as they can about this in-demand industry. So far, StreetSide BC has welcomed four interns through the program.

“Everyone has been incredibly encouraging and helpful. They’re always willing to answer my questions, guide me through new tasks, and push me to think critically and find solutions on my own.” – Jaahnvi Kaushal, StreetSide ACE Certificate program Intern

Jonathan described the ACE program as unique in what it offers students, particularly since it is an affordable program that will give students long-term payback.

“The program exposes students graduating from high school to architecture, construction, and engineering practices through a blend of BCIT schooling and real-world experience,” he said. “The certificate they earn grants them credit towards more specialized courses when they decide what they want to learn more about.”

Jonathan added that the practical, real-world aspect means students are out in the field and more aware of what actually happens in the industry, as opposed to more theoretical courses.

Involvement in the program will also be beneficial for Qualico BC long-term, especially for talent acquisition.

“With fewer people joining the industry, hopefully [Qualico] will be somewhere program participants will want to work after completing their studies,” said Jonathan. “That would result in easier recruiting processes and a broader pool of talent available to us.”

Right now, the program is in its infancy, so students who have participated have not yet fully completed their additional studies. However, Jonathan noted that the first cohort finished the program last year and there has already been some positive outcomes.

“Both of the women who interned with us have decided to stay on at BCIT and extend their studies – one in design and one in construction,” he said. “We are helping to also advance women in the industry, which is a great benefit.”

Jaahnvi Kaushal, who is interning at StreetSide this term, said the internship has been going well and she has learned a lot in one month.

“Joining StreetSide with little understanding of development, the team gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to their process clearly and thoughtfully,” said Jaahnvi. “Everyone has been incredibly encouraging and helpful. They’re always willing to answer my questions, guide me through new tasks, and push me to think critically and find solutions on my own.”

Qualico BC intends to continue supporting the program by offering internships in the next academic year. Jonathan said things will be slightly different then, as the program will be targeting new residents to Canada who have some construction and development experience already, but whose credentials are not necessarily recognized here.

This continued partnership with BCIT reflects Qualico BC’s commitment to education and training in the architecture, construction, and engineering fields through leading by example and developing current and future talent. Qualico BC’s support of the program aligns with Qualico’s Workplace and Community Impact goals and supports the trailblazing legacy of one of Qualico’s founders, Katherine Friesen.